Why should I consider refinancing my mortgage?

Last updated: 03 April 2024

Refinancing your mortgage can provide an opportunity to optimise your financial position and potentially save significant amounts of money over the long term. With the dynamic nature of the housing market and fluctuations in interest rates, exploring refinancing options can often lead to securing a new loan with more favourable terms. Whether it's taking advantage of lower interest rates, accessing accumulated equity in your property, or consolidating high-interest debt, refinancing offers a range of benefits that can help you better manage your finances and achieve your long-term financial goals. Below are 8 reasons why you may want to consider refinancing your mortgage:

  1. Lower Interest Rates: If interest rates have dropped since you took out your original mortgage, refinancing to a new loan with a lower interest rate can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. 
  2. Accessing Equity: If the value of your property has increased since you purchased it, refinancing allows you to access that equity for other purposes such as home renovations, investments, or debt consolidation. 
  3. Consolidating Debt: Refinancing can be a way to consolidate high-interest debt, such as credit card debt or personal loans, into your mortgage at a lower interest rate, reducing your overall monthly payments. 
  4. Changing Loan Terms: Refinancing allows you to adjust the terms of your loan, such as extending or shortening the loan term, which can impact your monthly payments and overall interest costs. 
  5. Switching Loan Types: You may want to switch from a variable rate mortgage to a fixed rate mortgage, or vice versa, depending on your financial goals and outlook on interest rates. 
  6. Removing Mortgage Insurance: If your property has increased in value and you now have more than 20% equity, refinancing can allow you to remove Lender's Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which can significantly reduce your monthly payments. 
  7. Improving Loan Features: Refinancing can also be an opportunity to secure a loan with features that better suit your needs, such as an offset account, redraw facility, or the ability to make extra repayments without penalty. 
  8. Better Customer Service or Loan Management: If you're unhappy with your current lender's customer service or online banking platform, refinancing can be a chance to switch to a lender that offers better service or more convenient features. 

Advertiser Disclosure

~Comparison rate is calculated as indicated. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different fees, terms, or a different loan amount might result in a different comparison rate. Credit Savvy endeavours to show accurate and up to date information however product provider interest rates may change without notice and may be different on the product issuer’s website. You should consider the product providers website before making a decision on whether to apply for a product.

**The indicative repayments are based on the offer settings information added for loan amount and duration only and may not include all fees and charges.

This is an information service only and any information displayed is not to be taken as a recommendation for you to take out a particular product. Where Credit Savvy displays credit products that you may be eligible for, this means that the lender has indicated that applicants must at a minimum meet this credit score as part of the product criteria. Credit Savvy does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs when displaying any products on its website.

Products shown are only a selection and not representative of all products in the market. Loan products shown are limited to those issued by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) ABN 48 123 123 124 and AFSL/Australian credit licence 234945. CBA New Digital Businesses Pty Ltd ABN 38 633 072 830 and Australian Credit Licence 516487, trading as Credit Savvy Australia is a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of CBA. CBA New Digital Businesses Pty Ltd is not an Authorised Deposit-taking Institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 and its obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

All loan product applications are subject to the provider's credit criteria, approval and terms and conditions. Conditions, fees and charges may apply. Interest rates are subject to change and some products may have lower introductory rates which revert to higher rates after a set period of time. You should consider your own objectives, financial situation and needs, along with the product's terms and conditions, before making a decision to apply for a product. Once you click on a link or apply for a certain product you will be dealing with the provider and not us. We do not accept any liability in respect of any product from any provider.

The display or order of products is not an indication of product ranking or suitability. Commercial arrangements exist with some providers (which may include payments that we receive from them for displaying their products and associated click throughs.

Credit Savvy endeavours to provide accurate information and no responsibility is taken for errors or oversights. The results from any calculations, such as indicative monthly repayments, are estimates only and should be used for general information purposes.

We act as a credit intermediary and do not provide personal financial, legal or tax advice, or credit assistance of any form. Any content featured on the site is of a general and informative nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider your needs, along with the product's terms and conditions before making a decision. We do not accept any liability in respect of any product or service which you elect to acquire from any provider.

© 2024 CBA New Digital Businesses Pty Ltd ABN 38 633 072 830 and Australian Credit Licence 516487, trading as Credit Savvy Australia.
Credit Savvy is a trademark of CBA New Digital Businesses Pty Ltd. CBA New Digital Businesses Pty Ltd is a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. CBA New Digital Businesses Pty Ltd is not an Authorised Deposit-taking Institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 and its obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Your security is extremely important to us. Your data is encrypted and we work with industry leading experts to keep your details safe.